444 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



single birds is sometimes the result, as the pigeons 

 seem in a strong breeze to collect a long way off or 

 meet halfway, and then fly home in a narrow line in 

 the teeth of the gale, often entering a wood one after 

 another through the same opening between the trees. 

 Towards dusk, however, stand within shot of your 

 decoy bird. If there is no wind you will do better by 

 remaining near your decoy from the first, as in still 

 weather the pigeons fly in from all quarters, arid usually 

 out of shot till they actually dip down for the trees. 



If you wish for once in a way to make a bag of 

 pigeons at flight time, send a man or two to walk 

 about and disturb the birds in any other woods in 

 which they roost that are near the one you are stand- 

 ing in, and the birds driven therefrom will probably 

 visit your decoy, as it will seem to them to be an evi- 

 dence of safety. You cannot expect, however, to bang 

 away at the pigeons several nights in succession in the 

 same wood ; once a week is quite often enough, and 

 even then it should only be when there is a good 

 breeze to deaden the report of the gun. Be careful 

 you do not frighten the birds away altogether, as 

 this is easily done if they are left with no resort that 

 is undisturbed. They should always be allowed one 

 harbour of refuge. 



When pigeons come in to roost, they generally 

 first alight on some tall, leafless trees on the outside 

 edge of a plantation. The birds are then assembling 

 together, comparing notes, and taking a good look 



